Olavipe is a backwater cum heritage homestay located on an Backwater Island at just 25 kilometers from the heart of Cochin city. It is an hour's drive from the Cochin International Airport and the tourist hotspots of Alleppey, Kumarakom and Fort Cochin.

Set amidst the lush tropical greenery of Olavipe Island, Parayil Home 'Thekkanatt' is one of five Heritage Homes belonging to the Parayil Tharakans. This century-old mansion is located on a forty-acre organic farm on the banks of the Kaithappuzha Backwater, the national waterway between Cochin and Alleppey.

Olavipe is the home of the 'Parayil Tharakans', a well-known Syrian Christian family of Kerala. Tracing their history over 250 years, the family proudly claims amongst its sons one Marquis, two Grand Chevaliers, three members of Kerala Legislative Assembly, several senior government officials and social leaders.

The eight large and airy bedrooms of the house need no air-conditioning. The bathrooms attached to the bedrooms offer both cold and warm water options. This stately heritage home and its estate provide facilities for both rest and recreation.

Vanilla , pepper, arecanut, mulberry and cassava are also grown on the estate. Prawn farming is active in the season in the larger ponds and canals. The canals are also used for rearing the local delicacy-the pearl spot fish.

Over a hundred varieties of Ayurvedic medicinal plants are cultivated and preserved here. A short walk away from the house are the lagoons where prawn farming is done. Nearby are the canals where the pearl-spot - 'Karimeen' in local parlance, a gourmet's delight - and other fish grow.

This stately heritage home and its estate offer an ideal place for visitors to absorb a village ambience.

Kochi is typically visited as a part of itinerary covering other parts of Kerala.